Regardless of whether you use a digital inspection or not, you need to be thinking about getting tablets for your technicians. If the tablets you purchase are put in a strong case and have screen protectors, they will last for a while. I have some tablets in my shop that have lasted over two years now. There are $150 tablets you can start with, too (Lenovo). No reason to go out and buy $600 Apple tablets; dip your toe in the water first. Here are a few reasons I would suggest tablets for your technicians:

• If you are doing digital vehicle inspections, then this is a must to make it easier for them to complete the inspection.
• Even if you aren’t using digital vehicle inspections, they can pull up Identifix, IATN, All Data Repair, Mitchell ProDemand, and Google (yes, your techs are using Google, too, to find fixes for vehicles; it isn’t just your customers.).
• It reduces wasted steps for your technician if he needs to refer to a wiring diagram and you only have a computer or laptop in the shop that isn’t mobile. Reducing steps allows for your techs to be more efficient, and that is a good thing (Six Sigma stuff).

“Chris, great you have me convinced I need a tablet now, but there are so many out there. What kind should I buy?” We have a page for that: https://autoflow.com/support/tablets/ The Lenovo is a good, cheap choice to start with (FYI…there’s no flash on the camera, but for the money, that is fine with me). Read more of my blogs at https://autoflow.com/blog/.